<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CORPORATE
EXPRESS CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   11-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          44,362
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  631,097
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,523
<INVENTORY>                                    251,108
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,081,173
<PP&E>                                         483,123
<DEPRECIATION>                                 131,756
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,349,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          563,697
<BONDS>                                        753,829
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            28
<OTHER-SE>                                     932,405
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,349,659
<SALES>                                      3,573,311
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,573,311
<CGS>                                        2,733,308
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  725,188
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,115
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 77,542
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,457
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,404
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,404
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32